Health

The 21st annual “Family Wellness Fair” was held Wednesday, May 9 at Veterans Memorial Hospital with a spectacular turn out. Over 325 individuals attended the wellness fair and enjoyed all the information and activities provided by over 45 agencies and businesses that serve Allamakee and northern Clayton counties.

Entertainment for the evening included special appearances by “Klyde Thinger” the Clown, plus a new balloon artist, Mike Chapman, who very successfully carried on the talent and tradition of Paul Kammarmeyer, who brought fun and excitement to the wellness fair for over a decade. Paul lost his battle to lung cancer caused by radon in his home at the end of 2017, but had shared his talent with Mike so he could carry on this service. In his honor, a special radon educational display and even radon kits were offered for sale at a very reasonable price by Melinda Berns of the Allamakee County Environmental Health Department.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, May 17. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m.  Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.

For more information, call Auxiliary President Nona Sawyer, at 563-568-3105.
 

The Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation annual Three Person Best-Shot Golf Tournament is set for June 18 at the Waukon Golf and Country Club.

Teams of three will begin the day with a shot gun start at 9:30 a.m. and play 18 holes of golf. Breakfast rolls, lunch and dinner and prizes for everyone will all be provided for the donation of $75.

All those interested are asked to pre-register their team by calling the Waukon Golf and Country Club at 563-568-9939. For more information about the golf tournament, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, May 17 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.

This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Mental illness can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. When someone is struggling with a mental health condition, it affects the whole family, not just the person with the diagnosis. Family members and caregivers can often feel overwhelmed or powerless as they try to learn more about the illness, treatment options, and how to help.

If these feelings sound familiar to anyone looking for some extra support, NAMI Northeast Iowa’s Family Support Group might be the place to find it. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dakota “Toad” Ness by Jim and Jill Kiesau, Arlyn and Lois Fossum, Fred and Geralyn Smith, John and Lorna Kerndt and family and friends of Dakota “Toad” Ness.

Memorials were also received in memory of Harriet Snitker by Patsy Kerndt, Mary Ann Hager, George Pickett, Tom and Karen Regan, Lillian Larson and Dave and Laurie Martin.

In addition, memorials were also received in memory of Matt Howe by Rick and Cathy Larson, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, George Pickett, Arlyn and Lois Fossum, Mae Jean Bakke, Chris and M’liss Bulman, Angeline Schulte, Meg Schaller, Patsy Kerndt, Dan and Sue Schlitter, Fred and Geralyn Smith, Ernie and Donnalee Osland, Terry and Diane Oesterle, Ardys Kuhse, Dave and Laurie Martin, Orrin and Nan Grangaard and Rachel and Anthony Langenohl.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.

The annual “Family Wellness Fair” will be held this Wednesday, May 9, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hospital. The “Family Wellness Fair” is a community wide event offering families of all ages a night of entertainment and education about the local resources available to them, plus many free health testing opportunities. This fun-filled family event is free and open to all members of the community of any age.

This is the 21st annual event sponsored by Veterans Memorial Hospital. At the Fair, health testing, exhibits and refreshments will all be providing a complete evening of entertainment and education for all families of any ages.

This is National Hospital Week. Local hospital’s make a huge impact on the local economy. Veterans Memorial Hospital generates 192 jobs that add $12,534,162  to the Allamakee and northern Clayton County region’s economy, according to a study by the Iowa Hospital Association. In addition, Veterans Memorial Hospital employees by themselves spend $2,254,430 on retail sales and contribute $135,266 in state sales tax revenue.

“Working with other health care providers in our service area, we strive to meet the health needs of the people we serve,” states Mike Myers, CEO of Veterans Memorial Hospital. “Whether in the hospital or out in the communities, we want to continue to care for the people we serve as a team with other members of the health care sector.”

A new, local Caregiver Support Group has begun meeting monthly at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. The meetings are taking place the third Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m.

The next meeting of the support group will be held Monday, May 21 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

This informal meeting is open to anyone who provides care and support for a family member or friend. Feel free to attend and bring a friend. This new Caregiver Support Group will continue to meet the third Monday of each month at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
 

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, May 17. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m.  Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in.  It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.

For more information, call Auxiliary President Nona Sawyer, at 563-568-3105.